New Round of Small-Business Recovery Funding Available

Keith McBride and Mary Hastings of Sanford Regional Economic Growth Council and Ben Bell, owner of Moe’s Italian Sandwiches

Photo: Sanford Regional Economic Growth Council

Compiled by Lee Burnett, Submissions Editor

The Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission is offering a new round of Covid-relief funding to help small businesses and non-profits recover from pandemic disruptions.

Applications for the so-called Economic Recovery HUB grants are due April 12. Businesses are eligible for cash grants up to $10,000 and technical assistance. Non-profits are eligible for technical assistance.

Businesses with 25 or fewer employees are eligible for up to $10,000, as long as they opened during Covid era, January 2020 through May 11, 2023, can demonstrate negative impact on business from Covid and have not received substantial assistance under other Covid assistance programs. Funds can be used for rent, utilities, inventory, equipment, insurance, payroll (non-family) and working capital, but not refinancing, down payment on new financing or wages for owner or family member.

Local businesses that have already benefited from the program include Frannie’s Mini Donuts, River Junction Brewing, Moe’s Italian Sandwiches and Deneen Bernier LLC.

Non-profits are eligible for technical assistance provided directly by a local vendor, such as bookkeeping, web design, and social media planning/implementation.

Business skills classes are also available.

An online application is available at https://smpdc.org/hubprogram